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Associated Press

JUNEAU- Researchers have discovered a bat species in Southeast Alaska that wasn't previously known to inhabit the area.

Biologists from the Alaska Department of Fish and Game also discovered that two of the other five species known to live in the area have a larger range than they previously realized.

Those are among the findings of bat research conducted over the last three years.

The new species, known as the Hoary Bat, was detected in downtown Juneau and Auke Lake, as well as in Gustavus, Hoonah and Ketchikan. It's one of the most widely spread bats in North America but hadn't previously been detected in Alaska.

Researchers also discovered California Myotis and Keen's Myotis bats farther north than they were known to stray.